Hi I am 38 soon to be 39. I need to get my act together. I am one of those stay at home moms that are involved in PTA & Girl Scouts.

I also never feel well, don't eat right, and don't exercise. Where can I find a diet that isn't to lose weight but to get me eating healthy?? Everything seems to be geared toward weight loss, cholesterol counting, fat free & I don't need to watch any of that. I want to eat normal food that is simple yet I have picky kids and husband who does need to watch his cholesterol &&&& suffers from GERD. He can't eat any tomato-based things, no spices or herbs, pepper HELLLLP!!!!!
It sucks...I can't seem to find anything to fit my lifestyle or family so I slack off...

I am 5'3 1/2" and 117lbs. I lack muscle tone in all areas of my body. I quit smoking in June. I have that beat, so what should I do next?
I have a bike that I could ride for another couple of months.

Originally posted by Want 2 B Well:
Hi I am 38 soon to be 39. I need to get my act together. I am one of those stay at home moms that are involved in PTA & Girl Scouts.

I also never feel well, don't eat right, and don't exercise. Where can I find a diet that isn't to lose weight but to get me eating healthy?? Everything seems to be geared toward weight loss, cholesterol counting, fat free & I don't need to watch any of that. I want to eat normal food that is simple yet I have picky kids and husband who does need to watch his cholesterol &&&& suffers from GERD. He can't eat any tomato-based things, no spices or herbs, pepper HELLLLP!!!!!
It sucks...I can't seem to find anything to fit my lifestyle or family so I slack off...

I am 5'3 1/2" and 117lbs. I lack muscle tone in all areas of my body. I quit smoking in June. I have that beat, so what should I do next?
I have a bike that I could ride for another couple of months.

eating healthy is a lifestyle, not just a diet. foods that are healthy can also taste good and if you prepare foods yourself, u have direct control over how much sugar or fat you add. try not to eat processed foods, replace flour w/ whole grain products, eat colorful fruits and veggies, choose lean sources of protein (chicken breast, fish, turkey, cottage cheese, etc). cut down on sugary foods. replace fatty/sugary snacks w/ healthier ones (granola, cereals, fresh/dried fruit, carrot sticks). kids will usually eat healthy snacks if that's what is given/available.

when u prepare foods for your family, you could set your husband's portion aside then add in the spices you like for yourself/kids.

good luck

First, congratulations on quitting smoking. I know how incredibly hard that is. Everything ealse here should be easy by comparison.

Healthy eating *can* be for weight loss, but that's mostly determined by calories. The basic guidelines remain the same regardless of the health goal. No diet prescribes Taco Bell and Cocoa Puffs for a reason. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/biggrin.gif
Low (saturated) fat and low cholersterol is generally part of eating healthy. But ultimately you are going to choose the foods you want anyway, so just be conscious of what is in things. Read the labels, avoid high saturated fats, sugars, preservatives and white foods like bread, sugar and rice (wheat bread and brown rice is better).

Chopstix was spot on, it's a lifestyle change and might be best to get into one step at a time. Like removing one or two bad things for good and replacing them with something better (like losing french fries - one of the worst possible foods next to the fried Twinkie - and opting for a veggie instead). Getting enough protein, proper amounts of the right kinds of carbs and enough healthy fats is the cliff notes version of healthy eating. http://www.healthboards.com/ubb/smile.gif

You might also want to work toward some lean muscle. It will increase bone density, increase metabolism, immune system, energy levels, hormone regulation and so on. Resistance training with any kind of resistance or weights will do the trick. Riding your bike is good cardio and a good start but the muscle is really important.

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Keep your body lean, your blood clean and your mind sharp. -Rollins

Thanks for your replies.

Ok so you say muscle is important. Have you ever heard of a place called "Curves". It is a fitness place but I think it is a little different than most.

Would Pilates build lean muscle???

YES YES YES...I know that eating healty is a lifestyle. I suppose that I should just change one thing at a time and go slow. The first of which would be to drink WATER.
How much water do you fitness folks drink a day???